The Latest Breaking News from Martha Lillard

Antiquated Devices and Diseases: The Survivors of the Iron Lung and Polio and How They Lived Full Lives

Martha Lillard and Paul Alexander survived decades in iron lungs after polio. Their stories reveal how vaccines transformed a once-devastating disease.

Medical Daily · Jul 22

The End of the Iron Lung Era Doesn't Mean the End of Polio Risk

The death of Martha Lillard, the last American to rely on an iron lung for polio, marks the end of an era but not the end of the disease's legacy. Her story highlights the lasting effects of polio, post-polio syndrome, and the importance of vaccination.

Medical Daily · Jul 15

Martha Lillard, last known US polio survivor using iron lung, dies aged 78

Lillard, of Oklahoma, contracted polio when she was five and slept inside cylindrical metal device to help her breathe

The Guardian - US · Jul 12